BROTHERLY LOVE

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Sunday School 7/2/16

Bible readings: Gen. 37:1-22; 1 John 2: 7-14

Introduction

Love is not an abstract thing. Love is practical in that it can be put into practice for others to see in various dimensions, ways and manners. Usually, it is difficult to love secretly. The opposite of love is hatred. Unlike love, it is easier to hate secretly.

Body
1. What is brotherly love? Brotherly love is love from oneself to other persons -1 Thes. 4:9-10

Ways of expressing brotherly love
(a) doing things in common - Job 1:4, Psa. 133:1, Acts 2:46

(b) Ministering to the need of others - Heb. 6:10-11, Acts 2:44-46

(c) Being of one accord/being like-minded - Acts 2:1, 4:32; Phil. 2:2

(d) Considering/honouring others above oneself - Heb. 10:24; Rom. 12:10, Phil. 2:3

2. Impediments to brotherly love
(a) Jealousy - Gen. 37:4, 27:41; Exo. 2:14; 1 Sam. 10:27, 17:28; Luke 19:14

(b) Lack of the Spirit of God - Rom. 8:9c, John 1:12-13, Rom. 1:28-29, Tit. 1:16

3. Benefits of brotherly love
(a) Unity of purpose - Gen. 11:1-6, Acts 2:1-4, 2 Chronic. 5:13, 2 Chro. 30:12,

(b) Absence of lack - Acts 2:44-47, Eccl. 11:1-2, Is. 58: 1-10

(c) Answered prayers

(d) Continual progress of God's work

(e) Spiritual growth

Questions
(1) Suggest relevant Bible passages for c, d and e above.

(2) Read Gen. 37:10 and suggest reasons Israel rebuked Joseph when he heard his second dream.

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